Backpacker Buzz

Put up your hand if you’re “stuck” in Europe this summer with nothing but your backpack, an iPad (smeared with fingerprints), and a Europass.

Life’s a drag, isn’t it? But don’t worry – you’re not alone out there. Droves of backpackers are hopping trains across Europe in search of the next party.

You see, there’s comfort in numbers.

So join in. Get on the train and party hop from festival to festival with your Europass. Make the most out of the final days of the summer. (Drinking Belgian beer while in line for the porta-potty just isn’t the same in the fall. And it’s a faux-pas to wear wrist-bands after Labour Day).  

Your Traval Itinerary

Here’s a look at the best European parties and music festivals left in the summer season. Let’s see how many you can get to. Ready? Go. (Yes, it is a race)

Get crazy with the Irish at Belsonic –Belfast’s top music festival of the season. Featuring Paul Weller, Kasabian Stereophonics, Florence and the Machine, Biffy Clyro, Lost Prophets, and Paolo Nutini. The party goes off August 17th –20th. Dump your stuff at HI-Belfast International and go party.

Okay, technically you can’t take the train across the ocean, so you will need some Air Miles or a pair of sea legs to get you back to HI-Belgium (details, details). But the Pukkelpop festival is worth the travel. Join the other 10,000 or so festival-goers on August 18th –21st for Snow Patrol, The Flaming Lops, Bad Religion and more. Oh, and wear purple. Don’t ask, just do.

Hop over to France for the Rock En Seine Festival from August 27th -29th. Massive Attack, Cypress Hill, Beirut and Underworld. The Rock En Seine is like a pilgrimage for any rock lover – this is the festival where Oasis finally split up, which practically makes this weekend a religious holiday.

Finish your festival hop in Portugal with the Boom Festival on August 18th -26th. Located deep in the forest on Lake Idanha-a-Nova, the festival features psychedelic trance music and transformative art. When you’ve had it with the new age, come back to reality with some much needed R& R at HI-Portgual.

I know it sucks being in Europe in the summertime. But hey, there’s worse places to be, like back at school with five term papers to write.

Meanwhile, get on the train, get stamped, and get in the crowd.